VHP leader demands withdrawal of cases against devotees

Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Acharya Dharmendra warned the Madhya Pradesh government that unless criminal cases filed against Bhojshala devotees since 2006 were withdrawn "unconditionally" by March 9, religious leaders would take nationwide action.

He held Shivraj Singh Chouhan government responsible for police action against Bhojshala devotees on Basant Panchami, quoting his letter written to BJP president Rajnath Singh to intervene in the matter at a press conference in Indore.

"I will not wait beyond March 9 and be a mute spectator to the barbaric and inhumane action by the police against devotees," Acharya Dharmendra said.

On February 15, the district police resorted to lathicharge, burst tear gas shells and booked many people including former RSS pracharak Naval Kishore Sharma under the Arms Act.

"We dharmacharyas will take up the matter at the national level to teach a lesson to the Madhya Pradesh BJP government," he added.

He categorically blamed MP Industry Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya for his alleged "Muslim appeasement" policy. He alleged that without the BJP government's nod, the district administration could not have taken such decisions.

When reminded that it was the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) direction to allow both Muslims and Hindus to offer prayers, Acharya alleged, "Did ASI ask the MP government to oppress and commit atrocities against Sarswati devotees? Did ASI ask the government to arrest former RSS pracharak Nawal Kishore under the Arms Act?"

When asked if the Bhojshala controversy will affect the BJP's poll prospects in the assembly election due later this year, Acharya said he would not participate in poll campaigns of any leaders.

"They will have to face the consequences for the atrocities they committed against Sarswati devotees during the next assembly polls," he said.